The remains of 11 indigenes of Ebonyi State who were killed in Ogbuoji, Orumba Local Government Area of Anambra State on May 30, 2025, have been laid to rest with full state honors on Thursday.
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru led government officials and community leaders in bidding farewell to the victims during a solemn Holy Mass held at Unity Square, Abakaliki.
Visibly emotional during the ceremony, Governor Nwifuru condemned the killings as barbaric and heartbreaking, describing the incident as a monumental loss not only to the bereaved families but to the entire state.
"I am in pain because these were innocent citizens who had no quarrel with anyone, yet their lives were brutally terminated. Ebonyi State mourns with heavy hearts today," the governor said during his address.
He emphasized that the victims were industrious sons and daughters who had merely traveled to Anambra in search of legitimate means of livelihood before being cut down in their prime by mindless attackers.
The interment ceremony, characterized by tears and sorrow, attracted top government officials, community leaders, clergy, and numerous sympathizers who came to pay their last respects to the deceased.
Governor Nwifuru reassured the bereaved families that his administration, working alongside relevant authorities, would ensure justice while providing support to help them rebuild their lives. He further called for unity, vigilance, and prayers against the growing insecurity across the South-East region and Nigeria at large.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Ikeuwa Omebeh, consoled the families and commended Governor Nwifuru for according the deceased a state burial. He prayed for divine comfort for the bereaved families and the entire state.
In a significant gesture of support, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Ekuma, announced that the state government would provide financial assistance ranging between five million and ten million naira to each of the bereaved families. This support aims to help them establish businesses and cushion the impact of their devastating loss.
The tragic incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in the region, with authorities pledging to intensify efforts to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
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